DAVID UNWIN/Stuff
Jets Basketball players mucked in with local children at the Raleigh St Reserve back in March 2021. The reserve will be alive with family fun on Saturday.
Palmerston North’s Raleigh St Reserve will be bubbling with people and activities on Saturday as community agencies throw a free party for the neighbourhood.
Whakapai Hauora is the lead organisation for the “4412 Paia” party, with events and projects co-ordinator Rachel Ngataki expecting hundreds of people to turn up.
The main goal was to bring the community back together after a couple of years of Covid-19 disruptions and struggles.
Ngataki said it was originally planned to be held last year, but uncertainties about Covid-19 restrictions caused its postponement.
READ MORE:
* Manawatū Jets basketball family making a difference
* Towering NBA star Steven Adams mobbed by fans at opening of court carrying his name
* Awapuni park gears up for basketball superstar visit
“We know there have been new community members move in while everyone has been a bit isolated.
“We want whānau not only to have an awesome day, but also to show them how many services we have in this area that they might not know about.”
There will be food trucks on site, with tickets for free kai available, while those who can afford it have been invited to contribute to a food drive collection.
Activities include interactive spaces for play, and a free concert to round out the event.
Resources on site will include opportunities to meet and learn about a range of health providers, a vaccination clinic, the mobile library, while Kāinga Ora will have an information tent, and the Māori wardens will be providing traffic management.
The event runs from 11am until 3pm.
